The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires [Hardcover]

Roy Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 1998

Forget Madison Avenue! Learn the unvarnished truth about what works, what doesn't and why from the most fascinating storyteller since Paul Harvey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: Bard Press (July 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885167326
• ISBN-13: 978-1885167323
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,240,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical, enlightening, and thought provoking book!, April 28, 2000

By 

Adam F. Jewell (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires (Paperback)

An enlightening thought provoking approach to advertising is found between the covers of this spell-book. It's creative and insightful throughout, and reaches beyond the "hard numbers" that often seem to dominate media buying, advertising and marketing campaigns, and news headlines. Roy pushes aside statistics and realizes that there are people just like you and me behind the numbers.

An advertising campaign is a link in a chain, only one part of the sales process. This book focuses both on creating a successful advertising campaign, as well as the other links in the chain including the creation of a pleasurable shopping experience that delivers the goods or services advertised. The Wizard presents lots of anecdotal tales and advice that relate to people and real world experiences. Chances are you will be able to personally relate to many of those contained within the book.

Some attention is given to advertising strategies in print, radio and television, and in what context and for what purpose they should be used. Much of "The Wizard of Ads" is a collection of feel good stories, however within each, is advice and insight into the world of sales, advertising, and people. As the author states, the reader will either love or hate the book. Ten steps to successful selling or advertising this is not, chock full of common sense approaches to reaching out and connecting with people who may become your customers it is.

If you like this book, and the manner in which it is written, another fantastic, related book (written in the form of an ancient parable) focusing on the sales process, sales strategies, and types of sales people is "Selling the Wheel" by Jeff Cox.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary thinking for communicators, December 23, 2002

By 

Emory M. Bare - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires (Hardcover)

In a way, the title of this book (also the nickname of the author, Roy Williams) is somewhat misleading. It suggests that only advertising mavens need read the book, but that is not so. This amazing writer/thinker has challenging insights for virtually anyone who communicates for a living, or who simply likes to communicate well. The short, one page chapters are perfect for quick reading on a regular basis. However, don't be surprised--the Wizard's writing is like Lay's potato chips...you can't eat just one. I would recommend it as a gift for anyone who communicates and wants to grow in that skill.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh material on the creative side of writing ads, September 19, 2000

By 

John C. Dunbar (Sugar Land, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wizard of Ads: Turning Words into Magic and Dreamers into Millionaires (Paperback)

The first two-thirds of the book are great. It bogs down a little thereafter.

The first ten or so essays are truly great, and alone justify the purchase of this book. The author describes how to write ads and also presents an approach to life. The ad part is truly great, but the life part should be in another book. Still, I consider this a great book for someone looking for copy writing secrets.

The author also has a web site and free email letters with similar material. He also provides training seminars. I've noticed from his web site that alot of radio types attend his seminars. That fits, as he encourages you to use echoic (sound) techniques in writing your ad copy.

John